The Nova Scotia Teachers Union and the Nova Scotia School Board Council of Unions, representing teachers and support staff, express continued worry about school violence, with the Education Department documenting tens of thousands of violent incidents in recent years. According to data shared by a department spokesperson, there were 27,108 instances of physical violence in the 2024-25 academic year, up from 21,398 the year before. In 2022-23, there were 27,486 recorded incidents, drawing attention when the province’s auditor general raised concerns about the escalating violence in schools.
Peter Day, the NSTU president, acknowledged some positive actions taken by the province to address the issue but emphasized the need for a more serious approach. He cited instances where teachers resorted to wearing protective gear like Kevlar sleeves due to student aggression, causing disruptions in classrooms. Similarly, Nelson Scott, chair of the Nova Scotia School Board Council of Unions, highlighted that nearly 75% of members reported safety concerns at work, including physical harm and long-term injuries.
The Education Minister, Brendan Maguire, was unavailable for comment when requested by CBC. In response via email, spokesperson Alex Burke stressed that most recorded incidents involve elementary students learning about appropriate interpersonal interactions. Burke referenced the new provincial student code of conduct, implemented in September 2025 to define consequences for rule violations, particularly in cases of violence.
The updated code now distinguishes between physical violence and aggression, aligning with recommendations from Auditor General Kim Adair. Burke mentioned that 8,463 instances of physical violence have been reported this school year, with 64% having minimal impact on school operations. Due to refined definitions, comparisons with previous years are challenging, and the current data will serve as a baseline for future assessments.
The NSTU continues to advocate for smaller class sizes as a means to mitigate violence in schools, emphasizing the importance of building teacher-student relationships early on to address issues proactively. However, challenges persist, with overloaded school support workers and a lack of departmental support contributing to the ongoing safety concerns. Scott urged the Education Department to treat school violence as a workplace safety hazard and take a more active role in enforcing safety regulations.